Well, it had to happen eventually.
Thus, we take an obvious next step: Deaf characters should only be played by deaf actors.
Such is the premise of a December 17th letter picking up steam on the web, which condemns the casting of actor Henry Zaga.
Henry can currently be seen as Nick Andros in a new adaptation of Stephen King’s bestseller
The Stand on CBS.
But there’s some unacceptability afoot: Henry, as it turns out, can
hear.
Here’s something else you need to know: the studio decided only to audition hearing actors for the role of a Deaf character. When I tell you I’m tired of Hollywood’s inequitable processes, I MEAN IT. Disabilities are NOT playable character traits! #standagainstthestandhttps://t.co/wUZ9QAUAol
The Stand Met With Boycott Threat From Deaf Community Over Casting of Hearing Actor
TV
Stressing that the casting of Henry Zaga as deaf-mute Nick Andros on the series not acceptable, members of Hollywood s Deaf community declares, enough is enough! Dec 18, 2020
AceShowbiz -
The Stand is facing a stumbling block from the get-go. On the same day CBS All Access premiered its first episode, the miniseries based on Stephen King s 1978 novel received a boycott threat from members of Hollywood s Deaf community over its casting of hearing actor
Henry Zaga as deaf-mute Nick Andros.
On Thursday, December 17, #DeafTalent owner Jade Bryan tweeted a protest letter that deemed Zaga casting unacceptable. As a Black Deaf filmmaker/TV Creator, advocate of diversity & inclusion, acting instructor, & creator/owner of #Deaftalent campaign, I believe in change. It shouldn t be that difficult to cast the right person for the role, he wrote alongside the letter.
James Minchin/CBS
On Thursday, more than 70 signatories issued a statement saying that the casting of a hearing actor to play a Deaf character on the new CBS All Access show is not acceptable.
Amid ongoing Hollywood diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, another group is arguing a new series does not reflect these values.
On Thursday, more than 70 signatories issued a statement saying that the casting of a hearing actor to play a Deaf character on the new CBS All Access limited series
The Standis not acceptable. (Hearing actor Henry Zaga is playing Deaf character Nick Andros in the series.) Signatories include members of the Deaf community including actor Antoinette Abbamonte (
CBS’ ‘The Stand’ Series Faces Boycott for Casting Hearing Actor in Deaf Role
“It is time for industry professionals to create opportunities for Deaf talent,” members of Hollywood’s Deaf community write in a statementMargeaux Sippell and Tim Baysinger | December 17, 2020 @ 1:19 PM Last Updated: December 18, 2020 @ 9:14 AM
James Minchin/CBS
Members of Hollywood’s Deaf community are boycotting “The Stand” after a hearing actor was cast to play a Deaf character in the CBS All Access limited series “The Stand.”
On Thursday, Dec. 17 the day the series based on Stephen King’s 1978 novel premiered a statement was posted to Twitter signed by 70 Deaf professionals who protested the show’s lack of Deaf representation after hearing actor Henry Zaga was picked to play Deaf character Nick Andros.